No contract talks between Ducks and Ryan ... yet

The Ducks are dealing with a shaky present following a bad home loss to St. Louis but at some point this season or afterward they'll have to address their future with Bobby Ryan.

Ryan is making $765,000 in the final year of his original three-year entry level contract. There have not been any discussions between the winger and Ducks management but Ryan's agent, Mark Guy, said his client is open to getting an extension done during the season.

“I don't know if there's any kind of imminent time line to it,” Guy said.

The 22-year-old Ryan can become a restricted free agent in July if a deal isn't worked out before then. Naturally this season is important as the Ducks wonder if he can follow up his 31-goal, 57-point rookie campaign that made him a Calder Trophy finalist.

General Manager Bob Murray would not comment on any contract discussions with Ryan, though he did say that he wants to see what the big winger does in his second full season.

Guy said they haven't begun to discuss what Ryan would command on the open market. A player that could be used as a possible benchmark is Chicago's Kris Versteeg, another Calder finalist whom the Blackhawks signed to a three-year, $9.25-million contract this summer.

The Ducks can also look to Ryan's linemates, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, as guidelines on the high end. Getzlaf signed a five-year contract worth more than $26.6 million early in the 2007-08 season and Perry inked a similar deal, though structured differently, after that season.

The difference with Getzlaf and Perry is both were into their third NHL seasons and had accomplished significantly more at that point in their careers. However, Ryan's price would likely rise if he can put up another 30-goal or more season.

“We haven't had any discussions yet as far any financial considerations and where he would come in at,” Guy said. “I'll meet with Bobby and we'll run through the marketplace. Speaking in a general sense, [Bobby] loves Anaheim and would be happy to contract with them.”

Ryan, who's off to a slow start with a goal and an assist in seven games, acknowledged that he hoped to work out a contract before the season. But he said he's focused on performing on the ice.

“I was hoping that something would happen like with Getzy and Pears but I also know that it took longer with Pears,” Ryan said. “I'm just going to focus on having a good season and doing what I can to help this team.

“I'm sure that the Ducks want to make sure that last year wasn't a fluke. That doesn't bother me. Things will get taken care of. I'm not concerned.”

Murray will have to take into account next season's budget and whether the league salary cap will drop as expected from its current $56.8 million ceiling.

The Ducks have about $33 million committed to 12 players but that doesn't include goalie Jonas Hiller, who can be an unrestricted free agent. Other potential free agents would include Saku Koivu, James Wisniewski and Nick Boynton.

And there is also the cases of Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne. If both were to retire, as they've considered in recent years, the Ducks would have $8 million worth of cap room. But if either or both wanted to return, then Murray and assistant GM David McNab would be left with another summer of tough financial planning.

The Ducks have had a good working relationship with Toronto-based Newport Sports Management, which includes agents Guy, Don Meehan and Pat Morris. Guy negotiated Perry's deal in the summer of 2008.

Guy said he isn't planning to force the issue with Murray or McNab but added that “we're available and ready to talk any time.” He said Ryan is interested in long-term security.

“There's so many variables that go into it, with term probably being the most significant,” he said. “He wants to be a Duck. It's probably more timing than anything right now. Whether that's a month from now or four or five months from now.”

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